Latest Fourth Estate Articles

(Mitchell Richtmyre / Fourth Estate)

Undergraduate Student Body President Isaiah Grays removed from office on Dec. 11, barring further appeal

BY EMMA G. SCHAIBLE, NEWS EDITOR

Undergraduate Student Body President Isaiah Grays’ appeal has been denied by the Election and Disputes Commission, effectively removing him from office on Thursday, Dec. 11.  

The EDC met on Dec. 5 to discuss the appeal of Grays v. Collins by President Isaiah Grays. The verdict of this meeting was announced on Dec. 8 by Clerk Andrew Boese. The appeal discussion was written by Commissioner Colton Seefeldt for the Disputes Board. 

Download (PDF, Unknown)

Grays’ impeachment was voted on by the Undergraduate Representative Body on Oct. 30, then heard by the EDC on Nov. 10. He was indicted on four of five charges, including corruption, unprofessional and unethical conduct, misconduct or severe violation of governing documents and neglect of duties.  

Grays appealed on six grounds, citing lack of access to evidence, findings that do not correspond to the charges, failure to apply evidentiary standard, misapplication of the code and incorrect factual findings, failure to provide a decision within 24 hours, and improper handling of the impeachment process. 

The board found no indications of substantial procedural irregularity on any of the appealed grounds. 

Throughout the appeal, Seefeldt cites that the EDC process is merely a function of a registered student organization at Mason and not a legal proceeding. Additionally, they assured that the procedure was in compliance with the Student Body Code and Constitution. 

According to Seefeldt, the board’s decision was based on a preponderance of evidence and did not require proof beyond a reasonable doubt. This means that the evidence must only be persuasive enough to the board that they can faithfully execute the charges. 

The board also elaborated on their process of making a decision and delivering it. The EDC stated that while they aim to send out a decision within 24 hours, there is no requirement to do so, citing that decisions of that size “take time.” 

Grays will be removed from office three days after the EDC’s decision at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11 unless he appeals to the Faculty Review Board before that time. 

The Faculty Review Board is the final board of appeals and consists of the advisor of the URB, the director of the Office of Student Involvement and a faculty member from either the Office of Student Involvement or the Office of University Life according to the Code of Student Governance.

(Ayman Rashid / Courtesy of Center for the Arts)

Thoughtful directing and strong performances deliver new life to this theatrical classic

BY TIMA SAASAA, STAFF WRITER

George Mason School of Theater’s production of “Light Up The Sky,” directed by seniors Adia Spezza and Andy Brown, embodied the energy and humor of Mass Hart’s “Light Up The Sky” without losing any of its original charm.

Hart’s “Light Up The Sky” is a classic backstage comedy in three acts built on the frenzy of a theater company preparing for opening night. Set in the late 1940s, it follows a troupe as they move through anticipation, disappointment and triumph, while poking fun at the quirks and traditions that keep the theater world going. 

The cast embraced the play’s frantic energy from the very beginning. Orson, the star’s pet parrot, drew immediate laughs with a convincingly realistic mimicry, setting a playful tone. 

Irene Livingston, played by sophomore Montgomery Jones, was the star of the show. She embraced the character’s dramatic temper with vanity in a flowing costume and striking emotional reactions. 

Her dynamic with Carleton FitzGerald, played by junior Isaiah Clayton, was charmingly absurd, as his jokes landed with memorable effect. FitzGerald, the emotionally volatile director, commanded the spotlight with a monologue that balanced melodrama and sincerity, grounding his theatrical self-importance. 

Sophomore Jace Courrier’s calm and formal Owen Turner contrasted with the surrounding chaos, particularly in scenes with Nan Lowell, played by sophomore Katie Murchison, whose steady, likable presence helped anchor the cast. 

Their interactions highlighted subtleties in their acting choices; small details, like Owen’s purple tie matching Nan’s pantsuit, created a visual connection that reinforced their onstage chemistry.

Irene’s mother Stella Livingston, played by junior Lake Rusch, brought a sharp, commanding presence. Her resonant voice and precise diction made her dramatic moments shine.

Sophomore Matteo Hope’s Peter Sloan underwent the most significant personality transformation, shifting from a timid, naive playwright to a confident one. His monologues revealed the talent and determination beneath his nerves. 

In Act 2, following the seemingly disastrous premiere, the ensemble fell into mayhem: characters broke alliances and threw tantrums, and props such as balloons added to the comedy of errors. Peter’s frustration with everyone’s criticism, alongside Owen’s patient guidance, highlighted the character’s growth. 

The Blacks delivered both tension and humor to the show. Frances Black, played by junior Katie Hindin, added a playful edge to otherwise dramatic scenes with her cheeky lines and bold personality. Meanwhile, the pretentious producer Sidney Black, played by sophomore Tommy Maxson, created friction with Peter that raised the stakes.

The technical design was thoughtfully executed and the departments worked together seamlessly. The living room set, representing Irene’s suite at the Ritz-Carlton across from the Colonial Theatre, provided ample space for physical comedy.

Lighting highlighted dramatic monologues and comedic timing, while sound and music cues emphasized changes in mood. 

Costumes were carefully designed with Irene’s flowing dresses, Stella’s structured elegance and Owen and Nan’s coordinated outfits, which visually reinforced their personalities and enhanced the overall atmosphere. 

The production balanced frantic energy with calm moments, from detailed directing and technical choices to the chemistry within the cast. The ensemble’s deliberate chaos created a charming, comedic show that captured Hart’s comedy beautifully.

[See image gallery at gmufourthestate.com]

(Sam Douglas / Fourth Estate)

President Washington addresses federal investigations, GMU-AAUP holds rally

BY SAM DOUGLAS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The Mason Board of Visitors recently held an Executive Committee meeting on the afternoon of Dec. 4. It was their second meeting of the semester without a quorum. 

Per the BOV’s bylaws, a quorum of eight visitors is required to hold full board meetings. The board currently consists of six. 

Executive Committee meetings are able to be held according to Article IV Section 5 of the bylaws: “… should a quorum of the Board fail to be present, the Executive Committee shall be convened.”

The assembly of the meeting faced opposition from the GMU chapter of the American Association of University Professors. Faculty, students and members of the community filled Merten Hall with signs. Some said “Rogue Rector, Bogus Board,” referring to Rector Cully Stimson, who has faced calls for him to resign due to his ties to the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation.

An hour into the meeting, sign-carrying members of the audience walked out from the BOV meeting to hold a rally on the lawn outside Merten Hall. Roughly 20 people gathered outside listening to speeches and chanting slogans like, “Whose university? Our university!”

Before members of the audience left for the AAUP rally, President Gregory Washington began his strategic plan update — which is about his annual performance metrics and the state of the university — on a somber note.

“While we continue to perform, and perform at a high level, the reality is that we are not immune from the challenges that are affecting most of the country and most of higher ed,” Washington said.

(Sam Douglas / Fourth Estate)

He detailed that graduate student enrollment and research funding were both down, with the school losing out on $7.1 million from graduate student tuition. Washington listed future events that could impact the school, including the upcoming inauguration of governor-elect Abigail Spanberger, potential new legal issues and what he called “G.O.K factors.”

“What in the world is G.O.K? It’s ‘God Only Knows,’ right?” Washington said to laughter from the audience, referring to how the university will have to react to sudden and unexpected problems.

He ended his report by addressing the ongoing federal investigations into Mason. In November, the House Judiciary Committee released a report saying that Washington and Mason had discriminated in hiring practices. 

Washington said the university was responding “vigorously and truthfully” to the findings.

“Look, at the end of the day, people know what discrimination actually looks like. They know if you’re discriminating or not. The community knows that. The faculty and staff know that. We actually know what it looks like,” Washington said.

Washington said that the school is engaging in initial discussions with the federal government to resolve the investigations, but also that he is not going to back down.

(Sam Douglas / Fourth Estate)

“[I am the] wrong guy to throw these kinds of things at. I’m not the guy that runs away from the fire. I’m the actual guy that runs into it,” Washington ended his report to applause from the audience.

Outside after the AAUP rally had concluded, Vice President of GMU-AAUP, Tim Gibson, voiced his support for Washington and encouraged him to hold the line.

“Our president is the only one to stand up publicly against these attacks from the Trump administration. [He] refused to compromise, refused to sell out our values and we support him for that,” Gibson said.

The quorum-less board, only six members strong, approved an affiliation agreement with Patriot Labs, as well as a state mandated six-year operating plan. 

Patriot Labs will operate as a non-profit funded in part by the Department of War. The university has seen a decline in federal research funding in the past year.

“This not only sets up a vehicle where we can attract government monies, but also private industry monies through the 501(c)(3), and then individuals and foundations too,” Rector Stimson said.

(Sam Douglas / Fourth Estate)

“[What] we’d lose in direct cost, we’d lose some federal funding, we may be able to plus-up on the other side,” he said.

The approved operating plan targets tuition increases for fiscal year 2027 and FY 2028 to be between 0% and 3%, “…targeting the lower end of the range to the extent practical and feasible.”

The operating plan, as well as the Patriot Labs affiliation agreement, were both approved unanimously.

The Board will next meet on Feb. 12 in committees. By then, Mason’s BOV may be unrecognizable — governor-elect Abigail Spanberger has pledged to fill vacancies in state university’s boards on “Day 1.”

(Nathan Ferraro / Fourth Estate)

How a Mason program helps students discover their talents and turn them into professional career paths

BY NGHI NGUYEN, CONTRIBUTOR

Did you know Mason’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being is now offering personalized coaching based on your CliftonStrengths results and you can even become a coach yourself? 

CliftonStrengths, operated by the Gallup organization, is an online assessment that helps individuals identify their top talents out of 34 possible themes. The themes highlight strengths rather than weaknesses, empowering students to understand how their abilities can shape their success in many aspects of life.

At Mason, CliftonStrengths is more than just an assessment. It helps people gain a deeper understanding of their natural talents and how to apply them effectively in class and future professional environments. 

Students get a chance to work with a coach to effectively manage their strengths. The program can help them improve in many areas, such as professional development, confidence building and conflict resolution. 

After taking the CliftonStrengths assessment and receiving their report, students can schedule a 30-minute in person or virtual coaching session with a student coach through the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being website.

A typical coaching session might include walking through the student’s top five themes, discussing real examples of when those strengths have helped them and exploring strategies for using those talents more effectively. 

Coaches may offer advice on time management based on a student’s strengths, navigate team dynamics or identify career paths that align with their natural strengths.

Mason’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being also offers a coaching program, where students are trained to become a coach. 

By being involved in the program, students can learn communication and leadership skills and get hands-on experience  guiding their peers in discovering and developing their strengths.

“This experience will be an invaluable one where I can honor working with both integrity and humanity, while learning great leadership in professional settings,” student strengths coach Sydney Carver said. 

Students interested in becoming a strengths coach or receiving coaching are able to do so via the CliftonStrengths website or in-person at the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being in Northern Neck 119. Additional updates and opportunities are available on the center’s Instagram account.

(Sam Douglas / Fourth Estate)

How the missing seats on Mason’s BOV impact students and faculty

BY ETHAN NAVARRO, STAFF WRITER

Mason’s Board of Visitors, the governing oversight body responsible for upholding institutional priorities, is in a state of jeopardy. Currently operating with just six of its 16 seats filled, the board is scrambling to acquire new appointees in the midst of investigations into the school, raising calls for a defense of institutional values and scrutinization of board member affiliations. 

Under the board’s own bylaws, the board cannot conduct business with a quorum without eight members present. Despite this, the remaining few have continued holding meetings and seek to approve actions that directly affect the institution.

When the BOV held an Executive Committee meeting in October, Rector Cully Stimson cited Article IV Section 5 of the bylaws to justify holding the meeting: “When in the judgment of the Rector, Board action is likely to be required, a call shall be issued simultaneously for both a special Board meeting and an Executive Committee meeting with notice to all members of the Board. Should a quorum of the Board fail to be present, the Executive Committee shall be convened.”

To students and faculty, this may sound like typical bureaucratic drama. But the board’s continued paralysis adds to the looming threat of ongoing federal civil rights investigations from the Department of Education and Department of Justice. 

These unresolved problems pose real consequences. Rising student fees, the slashing of academic programs and scholarship funding, and the removal of DEI initiatives has cast doubt over the direction Mason takes as an institution.

Under Virginia law, the state governor appoints members to every public university’s Board of Visitors. This gives each governing administration significant influence over a school’s conduct and direction. 

When Governor Glenn Youngkin’s most recent BOV nominees faced evaluation by Va. senators, they declined to confirm 10 of the 12 appointments, citing concerns about political and ideological agendas. 

Several nominees, as well as the Board’s Rector, are affiliated with conservative think tanks such as the Heritage Foundation, threatening a shift in ideology that some faculty advocates saw as an attempt to reshape Mason’s priorities.

Tim Gibson, vice president of the GMU chapter of the American Association of University Professors (GMU-AAUP), explained, “The concern wasn’t the politics — it was an ideological attempt to impose a new model of what a university should be. These kinds of appointees were … not the right people.”

In July, GMU-AAUP issued a “no confidence” verdict in the Board of Visitor’s current members. This expresses distrust in the board’s capabilities to fulfill its obligations and duties.

With the Va. Senate having blocked Youngkin’s confirmations, the board is diminished to just six active members. Nevertheless, these members have continued to hold meetings, including one on Dec. 4.

These BOV decisions have raised questions regarding the limits of the board’s authority, transparency and motives guiding their choices.

BOV decisions directly shape the cost and quality of Mason’s education. Last May, the board approved a 2.5% increase in student fees, a move that had sweeping effects on students, raising the price of tuition for undergraduate and graduate programs.

With the board’s current lack of quorum, questions persist about whether future decisions or actions can be made legitimately or transparently. Missteps in responding to federal scrutiny could affect financial aid, program funding and federal compliance, making stable governance a critical need now more than ever.

The GMU-AAUP raised concerns about the board’s push to change Mason’s DEI infrastructure. Recent examples include the adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism as school policy as well as pressure the administration has faced to curb diversity-related programming.

Gibson expressed worry that Mason could face outcomes similar to University of Virginia, where a recent federal settlement imposed strict limits on DEI statements, scholarship criteria and faculty hiring practices. He described that agreement as creating a “chilling effect” that restricts faculty freedom to teach and research topics related to race, gender and class.

The future of Mason’s governance now hinges on political timing. With Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger backed by a Democrat-controlled Senate, Mason’s ten vacant BOV seats are likely to be filled with appointees who are more favorable to topics such as DEI.

Faculty advocates believe this shift could restore stability, potentially reshaping board leadership entirely. Because the Rector is elected internally every two years, the board will revisit the position in 2026, meaning a new board could vote to replace Rector Cully Stimson. 

Ideological differences between Stimson and President Washington have already complicated Mason’s response to the federal investigations that concern allegations of antisemitism and unfair hiring practices. Gibson noted that similar tensions at the University of Virginia culminated in efforts by board members and outside partisan groups to pressure UVA’s president to resign. 

A similar scenario, Dr. Gibson noted, happened this summer, with many fearing that the BOV would remove President Washington during the Aug. 1 meeting. President Washington continues to hold his position, having instead had his annual performance goals and bonus approved during the meeting. 

Gibson said faculty and student pushback has “slowed the worst outcomes,” but the next few months will determine the direction of Mason’s governance for years.

The ongoing turmoil of the BOV shapes the university’s foundational values and ability to succeed as an institution. Furthermore, the continued absence of a quorum weakens the university during a time of sensitive internal tensions that require careful navigation. As new appointments approach, Mason’s values and policies rest in a precarious balance. 

With the board’s legitimacy in question and major decisions looming, faculty and student groups alike are urging the Mason community to stay engaged. The GMU-AAUP and student organizers have encouraged people to attend the BOV meetings, pack public comment sessions and participate in rallies meant to voice concerns regarding academic freedom. 

Past organizing efforts have proven successful in influencing outcomes. Dr. Gibson said that faculty and students “make a real difference when they show up together.”

(Peter Mahler / Fourth Estate)

Mason’s most successful season since 2018 ended during a tight 3-1 loss to VCU

BY PETER MAHLER, STAFF WRITER

Behind a home crowd of “V-C-U” chants on Nov. 21, senior outside hitter Julia Rienks soared through the air to score one final kill to ultimately seal the win over Mason women’s volleyball, ending their season. 

Losing 25-20 in the final set of a deceptively close 3-1 match, the Patriots’ disappointment of getting knocked out of the A-10 Championship stung, but it didn’t deter their enthusiasm for the future.

“I’m very proud of our performance today, even though the outcome wasn’t great,” said junior setter Camryn Weldon, whose team-leading 21 assists gave Mason some much-needed offensive help. Throughout the match, both sides struggled to attack due to strong defense. 

It was a close battle, with the Patriots blocking VCU 12 times while holding them to a .140 hitting percentage. The Rams returned the favor with unrelenting hustle, plummeting Mason’s hitting to just .120.

Even with the return of A-10 Rookie of the Year Kiera Hamilton, the Patriot attack struggled with consistency versus a Ram defense that would go on to nearly defeat Loyola Chicago in the championship round.

Her -.045 hitting percentage on 12 errors demonstrated the challenge she and her teammates faced on a per play basis and was largely the result of outstanding reactions from the defensive specialists on the Rams.

VCU’s libero, graduate student Haruka Sugimoto, made heroic defensive plays, accounting for a game-leading 19 digs. She gave Hamilton and her teammates headaches by turning great Patriot attacks into VCU scoring chances.

Mason Head Coach Megan Shifflett Bachmann commended the Rams for anticipating the Patriots’ digs during scramble plays, highlighting Sugimoto’s ability in coverage and her teammates for supporting her. 

“They executed that skill extremely well, to the point that it was unbelievably frustrating,” she said. 

(Peter Mahler / Fourth Estate)

The teams split their first two sets, with the Rams taking the first 25-19. The Patriots stormed back, dominating on the serve and winning the second 25-15.

The Rams would take the final two sets 25-20, as errors and self-inflicted wounds stifled any momentum the Patriots had.

Both sets saw the Patriots rally late for a potential tie. In the third, they were down 19-18, but three Mason errors, including one during the set point, ended things abruptly. 

After withstanding a 19-14 deficit and scoring five straight late in the fourth, it appeared the Patriots were rallying to force a fifth set to keep their season alive. 

Back-to-back kills by senior outside hitter Haley Graetz, Hamilton and freshman setter Ava Cheney sparked the comeback and two VCU errors tied the set at 19, granting the Patriots a chance to finally take command of the series.

Instead, a Mason service error followed by a VCU service ace from graduate setter Elif Ozsoy shifted the momentum. Then, the Rams responded with three straight Ozsoy-assisted kills. With chances in clutch moments, the inexperienced Patriots faltered while the Rams flourished.

The Patriots came into the match with six freshmen on the roster; two of their leading scorers, Hamilton and freshman outside hitter Nia Thompson, played in their first-ever tournament this season.

Despite the sting of this loss, Mason’s youth can hang their hat on their strong play against a team that nearly won it all in this year’s A-10 tournament. 

(Peter Mahler / Fourth Estate)

After defeating the Patriots, VCU stunned conference-leading Dayton 3-0 in the semifinal. The Flyers had not lost a single game versus A-10 opponents all season long and appeared to be the overwhelming favorite to win the championship.

Riding the upset over Dayton, the red-hot Rams again impressed by forcing Loyola Chicago into a five-set championship thriller, which featured three overtimes and an average margin of victory at just under three points per game. The Rams would go on to lose to the Ramblers, but their run as a 3-seed would be cemented in A-10 lore.

Reflecting on the season, Graetz says that a lot of the best memories she’ll take with her are from off the court, as she emphasized the closeness she shares with her teammates apart from her connection with them during the game. 

“These are my best friends … Everyone has each other’s backs,” she said. 

For Graetz, this friendship and sense of camaraderie instilled a confidence that ultimately led the team as far as they went this year. 

(Peter Mahler / Fourth Estate)

Shifflett Bachmann spoke proudly of her players after the game, championing the turnaround they helped create while also recognizing the girls who were part of the team before their success.

“I reflect back on some of the past teams that we’ve had,” she said. “We’ve had such amazing kids [who] were just so close so many times and– for one reason or another– it never quite fell our way.” 

Moving forward, the future is bright for the young Patriots, who have made a statement on the A-10 stage by surpassing all expectations and reaching their first championship tournament since 2018. With a strong underclassmen core, Mason students can expect big things moving forward for Mason women’s volleyball.

(Mitchell Richtmyre / Fourth Estate)

New representatives reload depleted Undergraduate Representative Body

BY LAMIA GAMIL, STAFF WRITER

Mason’s Undergraduate Representative Body has filled more than 12 vacant seats following a special election held late last month. The election has restored the Student Government to its minimum membership requirement.

Student body voting was conducted via Mason360 and closed Friday, Nov. 21. The special election was called after more than ten representatives resigned since the government was sworn in on May 1, leaving the body at risk of falling below its mandated threshold of 31 members.

The newly elected representatives will serve on committees including the Academics, Diversity & Multicultural Affairs committee, and the Services and University Life committee to shape student-focused policy and campus initiatives throughout the year.

The at-large category had the most participation in the election. Robin Washburn led the field with 69 votes, followed by Pranav Choudhary — a write-in candidate — with 61. Sky Robertson received 57 while ten other candidates were elected with at least five votes. 

Other write-in candidates also joined the body, including Presley Macgregor-Rodriguez, Owynn Wise and Trevor Tharp. 

Alongside the general student body, each academic college elects their own representative. Every student has the opportunity to elect these members, no matter their college. 

Each academic college seat has the same amount of voting power in the Undergraduate Representative Body. 

The Schar School of Policy and Government’s new representative is Skylar Ringo, who received 37 votes. The Costello College of Business will be represented by Maximillian Archie, who received five votes. 

Alqasem Hasan, who received five votes, will represent the College of Engineering and Computing. The College of Visual and Performing Arts will be represented by Evelyn Johnston, a write-in candidate who received one vote. The College of Public Health elected Amani Banks with three write-in votes. 

The newly elected Undergraduate Representative Body will now move forward with committee assignments and legislative responsibilities after replenishing their numbers.

(Mitchell Richtmyre / Fourth Estate)

Despite a decision to impeach, Grays still presides over Student Government

BY EMMA G. SCHAIBLE, NEWS EDITOR

Undergraduate Student Body President Isaiah Grays has appealed his impeachment and will tentatively remain in office in accordance with the Code of Student Governance of George Mason University. 

In their Oct. 30 meeting, the Undergraduate Representative Body voted to impeach President Grays. The impeachment legislation was sponsored by Christian Collins, chair of the University Services Committee. 

This was followed by a vote by the representatives, structured from Robert’s Rules of Order, to remove Grays from acting as the presiding officer for the remainder of the meeting. The presiding officer gavels the meeting and ensures Student Government representatives act with decorum. 

Though the vote to impeach Grays passed, it did not immediately remove him from office. The Elections and Disputes Commission held a hearing on Nov. 10 between Grays and Collins, as well as spokespeople for each side. 

The Elections and Disputes Commission published a decision ruling Grays was guilty of four out of five charges, including corruption, misconduct, unprofessional and unethical conduct, and neglect of duties. 

This decision would have formally removed Grays from office; however, he chose to appeal. 

At the Undergraduate Representative Body meeting on Nov. 20, Tyronne Mitchell Jr., chair of the EDC, announced that it was within Gray’s constitutional right to continue to preside over the Undergraduate Representative Body during the appeals process. He claimed that no other governing documents, such as Robert’s Rules of Order, could prevent Grays from acting as the presiding officer over meetings. 

The EDC is meeting to decide if the appeal by President Grays has standing, and has told Fourth Estate that they will release a statement on their findings soon.  

Isaiah Grays did not respond to a request for comment.

[See image gallery at gmufourthestate.com]

(Harneet Singh / Fourth Estate)

Director Kathryn Bigelow’s new film leaves unanswered questions

BY HARNEET SINGH, STAFF WRITER

Academy-Award winning director Kathryn Bigelow’s new film “A House of Dynamite” recently debuted on Netflix. 

Since “A House of Dynamite” is Bigelow’s first film since “Detroit” in 2017 and it received positive reviews from showings at the Venice Film Festival and New York Film Festival, I was looking forward to seeing it. 

I was a fan of Bigelow’s earlier films such as “Point Break” and “Strange Days.” Her 2010 film “Hurt Locker” is acclaimed and won six Academy Awards, including Best Director, which she became the first woman to win. 

I went into the film with high expectations, but was ultimately disappointed.  

(Harneet Singh / Fourth Estate)

I struggle to believe that the same director who delivered classics like “Point Break” could make “A House of Dynamite.” The movie follows the United States government’s immediate response to a nuclear missile from an unknown source, and the ensuing scramble to stop it. 

It has a unique three-act structure, where each act chronicles the same events but from different settings, including the Situation Room, Secretary of Defense, Federal Emergency Management Agency and President. 

“A House of Dynamite” has some positive aspects. It has a strong cast with big names such as Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson and Greta Lee. Cinematographer Barry Ackroyd captured compelling visuals. 

The movie felt extremely realistic, capturing the various attitudes one often comes across on Capitol Hill very well. It is clear Bigelow and her team put in the time to capture the accuracy of the scenario, even eliciting a response from the U.S. Pentagon, which stated that the film was inaccurate, which is probably the best endorsement a filmmaker could get for accuracy. 

However, the film chooses to do nothing interesting with its narrative structure and the viewer ultimately ends up watching the same sequence three times. All three acts tell the same story: “nuclear weapons have no good outcome” and “people have families, so nukes are bad!” I hope no one needs a movie to tell them that.

Even after sitting through the film’s repetitive acts, the viewer gets no answers to key questions, such as who sent the bomb or what ends up happening. 

I may be a supporter of ambiguity and mysterious endings, but the viewer deserved some payoff after sitting through all that, even if it only serves to say that the fallout of a nuclear weapon is so bad that no one can fathom it.

There is no expansion on any other themes. Even points of view such as the pilots of B-52 planes — who were shown briefly onscreen without any explanation — or the woman in charge of FEMA are underused. 

For a film following a nuke, an expanded point of view of FEMA showing what happens to the civilians affected and if any steps were being taken for evacuation would have been helpful.

Nevertheless, the film’s downsides would have been alright if “A House of Dynamite” came out in a different format, such as a limited TV series. A longer format may have allowed for exploration of more ideas and themes, and would have played to Netflix’s strengths as a format.

Ultimately, the movie was lukewarm, and someone with even the most baseline knowledge and opinions on war and nuclear weapons walks away learning nothing. 

Given the tense state of the world currently, “A House of Dynamite” was a squandered opportunity to provide meaningful commentary on our time. 

For anyone even slightly aware of the state of the world and its history post-World War II, this film comes off as half-baked and, I hate to say it, a waste of time.

EDITOR’S NOTE: A graph was inserted in to the article. (Tuesday, Dec. 2, 4:43 p.m.)

(Emma G. Schaible / Fourth Estate)

Resolution passes after three weeks of debate, community input and calls for more student involvement

BY RITHVIK HARI, STAFF WRITER

In a 14-2 vote with four abstaining, the Undergraduate Representative Body passed a resolution on Nov. 20 condemning the university’s February implementation of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition and examples of antisemitism. 

Download (PDF, Unknown)

“Resolution #04, A Resolution to Condemn the Implementation of the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism at George Mason University,” was sponsored by Representative Draac Saunders and co-sponsored by Administrative and Financial Affairs Chair Declan Rees, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Chair Brandon Taci and Government and Community Relations Chair Griffin Crouch. 

“[The] Undergraduate Representative Body recognizes the IHRA Definition of antisemitism as a weapon against students and faculty activism that is inadequate for combatting antisemitism,” part of the statement reads. “… [The] Undergraduate Representative Body condemns the rash implementation of the IHRA Definition at George Mason University by University Administration and the Board of Visitors.” 

On Feb. 27, the Board of Visitors adopted a resolution saying Mason will not endorse events or organizations that conflict with the IHRA definition and examples of antisemitism. The university’s Non Discrimination Policy (University Policy 1201) was altered in Aug. 2024 to include the IHRA definition and examples.

The IHRA defines antisemitism as “…a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.” 

According to the IHRA, examples of antisemitism include advocating, supporting or excusing violence against Jews in the name of radical ideology or extreme religious views; accusing Jews collectively or the State of Israel of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust; and “denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination … by claiming that existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor,” among other behaviors.​

Registered student organizations that endorsed the Student Government resolution to condemn the IHRA definition include Jewish Voice for Peace at George Mason University, Students for Justice in Palestine at Mason, and Mason’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

On Oct. 29, Palestine Legal and Mason’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine threatened to sue the university over its demand toward SJP to remove a video posted on their Instagram over the summer. When demanding the video to be taken down, the Office of Access, Compliance, and Community notified SJP that the video contained the usage of phrases that violated the IHRA’s working definition of antisemitism.

The Student Government resolution said that “free speech is necessary to a free society, and the United States’ Supreme Court has consistently and historically held that speech cannot be regulated on the basis of viewpoint.” The resolution recognized the university’s demand for SJP to remove their video may be a violation of the First Amendment and federal civil rights law. 

Public comment on the representative body’s resolution was made by faculty members, students and community members during multiple Undergraduate Representative Body meetings on Nov. 6, 13 and 20. 

Representative Declan Rees argued during one of the meetings that the purpose of the resolution is to take a stand and make a statement.

“The fact of the matter is that the usage of this definition does little to actually protect Jewish students as much as it protects against any criticism against Israel,” he said.

Representative Gus Schmoll cautioned the representative body about potential restrictions on student free speech through the adoption of the IHRA definition, but that the proposed resolution needed more changes to be made before the full body voted on it. In the meeting on Nov. 6, his motion to send the resolution back to committee failed.

Several individuals during public comment sessions took issue with the Student Government’s lack of outreach to Jewish students following the conflict. 

“Jewish students were left out of the conversation,” Mackenzie Liu, a member of Mason Hillel, said. 

Liu told the body she believed the responding measure was one sided and called on representatives to reach out to Jewish organizations on campus. 

“I’ve been scared to show my Judaism on campus,” Liu said.

Mason student Alex Sherman was also critical of the Student Government’s resolution and claimed the Board of Visitors’ revision plays a significant role in addressing discrimination. 

“The IHRA [definition] doesn’t limit free speech, it limits discrimination disguised as political expression. It helps ensure Jewish students are treated fairly and protected at a time when antisemitic incidents are at a historic high,” Sherman said at the Nov 6 meeting.

After Sherman’s comments, Academics Chair Andre Esteves motioned to send the legislation back to the Administrative and Finance Committee. The motion, the second of the Nov. 6 meeting, passed 8-5, with 8 abstentions and several frustrated representatives claiming that the vote to send the resolution back to committee was premature.

Mason student Sky Robertson spoke in favor of the resolution condemning the IHRA definition. 

“It’s a student’s right to say anything about a foreign nation,” Robertson said. “It is not Islamophobic to say things about an Islamic state.”

Ben Manski, an assistant professor of sociology and anthropology, said the IHRA definition raised broader concerns for him “as a Jew who does not believe that there should be any state, whether it’s Germany, or Israel or Palestine … in which one people have privileged status over other people,” he said. 

Manski also noted that several BOV members who supported the definition may soon no longer be serving on the board, as Virginia governor-elect Abigail Spanberger will have the power of choosing nominees for Virginia’s public universities once she is inaugurated.

Caleb Nochumson, a member of the community connected with Mason Hillel and Chabad, suggested keeping the IHRA definition itself but working on supplementary documents to establish how it would be applied.

“I think that it’ll be a more productive conversation if we’re able to look at that existing definition and say, ‘How does this actually work on our campus, and how can we add additional thoughts, policies and standards on how we think we should enforce and adopt it?’” Nochumson said.

Throughout multiple meetings of debate over the resolution, Student Engagement and Support Chair Summer Dooley invited students to submit their thoughts and views via email to the Undergraduate Representative Body to allow for greater inclusion. 

The resolution came back to the floor for final deliberation during the Undergraduate Student Body’s meeting on Nov. 20. After a brief discussion on amendments and additional comments from the gallery, the resolution was moved to an anonymous vote and passed. 

The Student Government’s resolution expresses the opinion of the Student Government to the Board of Visitors, but the Undergraduate Representative Body does not have the power to amend university policy.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The wording of Representative Gus Schmoll’s stance was adjusted. (Tuesday, Dec. 2, 6:12 p.m.)

[See image gallery at gmufourthestate.com]

(Emma G. Schaible / Fourth Estate)

Examining the freshly rotting corpse of corporate greed known as ‘Black Friday’

BY EVAN PARFITT, COPY EDITOR

With bellies and wallets stuffed for the upcoming holiday season, what better way to follow up the arguments at the table than with old-fashioned capitalism and a good amount of elbow-throwing?

In the nearly 28-day crawl between the feasting of Thanksgiving and the gift-giving of Christmas, the retail world overflows with the typical merriment and commotion of the holiday season. Shoppers flood stores to stock up on all of their gifting goods. The event that kicks this insanity off, and scourges bank accounts everywhere, is none other than Black Friday. 

The modern interpretation of the faux holiday was coined as a term to describe the mayhem that followed Thanksgiving. The Black Friday people have come to know and loathe (or love, depending on who you are) arose in the late 1980s as retailers began to use the hustle and bustle to their advantage. 

For myself, I remember the days of yore flipping through the toy catalogs from various department stores, pen in hand, vigorously circling nearly everything that caught my eye. I didn’t give much mind to the actual price of what my greed desired, as a key part of these magazines were the deals themselves designed to move as many units as possible. 

Now that I’ve joined the ranks of hundreds upon thousands of broke college students, trying to find a good deal on nearly anything is nigh impossible. Deals are especially hard to find when it comes to holding hobbies requiring any monetary investment — particularly video games or record collecting. 

Black Friday has always served as an excuse to splurge. Yet, as the years have passed, deals that may have once incited violence have dried up almost entirely. 

Whether Black Friday’s lack of good deals and clamoring for its occurrence are due to companies’ stinginess or consumer apathy, its historical novelty has left buyers wanting more. 

Many have attributed Black Friday’s fall from grace to the COVID-19 pandemic. In-person events dwindled into near-nonexistence, giving way to Black Friday’s hip younger brother: Cyber Monday.

While Black Friday sales plummeted when the world was in quarantine, Cyber Monday prospered. Online shopping had a 32% sales increase in the second quarter of 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

To adapt to the new economic climate that has a heavier emphasis on limited human interaction, stores have modified their approach for marketing, targeting younger audiences on various social media apps in order to garner a broader appeal. 

Not only is there an ease of access to online retailers that has vastly expanded, but the timespan in which deals are available has shifted from a single day or two of bargains to more than a week. 

Though not inherently a bad thing in itself, part of the joy and whimsy which came with retail events at physical stores is lost.

As Black Friday’s magic upon me and the cultural eye fades into a distant memory, the thrill of that one-day-only mentality just to buy a $9.99 miniature American flag crockpot from JCPenney in the early morning felt like more than just a good bargain. It was a milestone in my materialistic journey.

(Nathan Ferraro / Fourth Estate)

How the 43-day shutdown impacted Mason’s military-affiliated students

BY ETHAN NAVARRO, STAFF WRITER

On Oct. 1, 2025, the U.S. federal government entered what would become the longest shutdown in its history, lasting until Nov. 12.

Congress’s failure to pass appropriations for fiscal year 2026 triggered a 43-day lapse in funding, furloughing roughly 670,000 federal workers while also stalling essential services. 

As someone working in George Mason ’s Office of Military Services, I saw firsthand how deeply our students who utilize military benefits or are tied to government-affiliated jobs felt the effects of the shutdown.

This wasn’t a distant political fight. For Mason students depending on Veterans Affairs education benefits, the shutdown equaled uncertainty. Normally, certifying students’ educational benefits runs smoothly each term. 

Due to an unforeseen shift away from text-verification, however, the benefits system suddenly required recertification for students worldwide. This abrupt issue was due to a technical malfunction within VA systems that happened to occur concurrently with the shutdown.

With the VA helpline closed and federal employees unreachable, many students couldn’t confirm whether their stipend or Basic Allowance for Housing would be distributed.

The anxiety was palpable. At my office, dozens if not hundreds of students called or visited for help. 

They voiced concerns about rent, food, bills and other means of supporting themselves. Some said they might miss payments. Others feared late fees or were already pulling from savings without guarantee of reimbursement. 

This was only worsened by the onset of spring registration: students hesitated to sign up for classes if their accounts weren’t balanced, while others were outright denied the ability to do so due to financial holds.

There were also several students who had parents or guardians employed in federal roles furloughed, or worse, working without pay for weeks. 

Students shared stories of family stress, confusion and hard choices: would they stretch their own funds to help their families, or risk falling behind themselves? For some, the shutdown was a stark reminder that their way of life was vulnerable to political gridlock.

The Office of Military Services became a de facto lifeline. With the Veterans Affairs hotline down and more students scrambling for answers, we answered the call to action. We assessed benefit status, reviewed paperwork, offered financial planning advice and provided a calm voice in an uncaring storm. 

But it was emotionally draining, too. Only Veterans Affairs could authorize payments, so many times we were disheartened to see students walk away without the exact kind of support they had sought from us.

The worst part was watching the stress mount for veterans and their dependents. They would call, email or drop by — sometimes desperate, sometimes angry, most times exhausted. Like many educational workers dealing with the shutdown, we tried to support as many people as possible. 

The task was daunting, but being seen as a source of reliability and assistance encouraged us to stay resolute. We joked where we could (because when else do you laugh at bureaucracy?), even if it never fully masked the frustration lurking beneath the situation.

Amid this turmoil, something hopeful emerged: community. Students leaned on one another. Military services staff went the extra mile. Despite the uncertainty, the shared experience fostered connection. Many military-connected students pushed through, relied on their resourcefulness, and kept going.

What happened at George Mason University during this shutdown was not unique to us. It was a reflection of a systemic problem.

The shutdown laid bare how policy decisions in Washington can pervade individual lives, affecting tuition, housing, food security, mental health and family stability. For the broader Mason community, this kind of impact is not just an academic issue, but a human one.

When circumstances spiral beyond our control, we rely on one another to get through. Our students and staff, military-affiliated or otherwise, deserve to be heard. Their persistence during the shutdown reflects the quiet resolve that defines our Mason community.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Fourth Estate welcomes opinion articles by people of all beliefs. If you feel strongly about a subject and want your voice to be heard, please email Opinion Editor Emma G. Schaible at eschaib@gmu.edu.

(Louis Volker / Fourth Estate)

Mason faculty weigh in on the Democratic party’s future

BY LOUIS VOLKER, COPY EDITOR

In the weeks since the Nov. 4 general election’s stellar turnout for Democrats, including a democratic sweep in Virginia, social media has exploded with excitement, anxiety and an abundance of  political memes.

What began as Islamophobic assertions from critics of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani have transformed into enthusiastic memes from Mamdani supporters that jokingly idealize false claims made by his opponents. 

On Instagram, conservative users like apparel brand @boldandbraveoutfitters make harsh criticisms of certain demographics that predominantly voted for Mamdani. 

“NYC is a prime example of why women shouldn’t vote,” writes the account. “They preach ‘women’s rights’ but 84% of Gen Z voted in a man who refused to condemn Sharia law.” 

In retaliation, other social media users seem to embrace ideas to antagonize conservatives, renaming NYC everything from “New Yorkistan” to “The New Islamic Republic of Mamdanistan.” 

TikTok user @izzy.tube posted a video captioned “This is now a Halal state” poking fun at “What people think New York is gonna be like after Zohran Mamdani won.” The term ‘libbing out’ has become popularized online as people joke about living in “Zohran’s America.”

Media Theory instructor Joey Abdallah-Robbins said that humor can be a more effective rhetorical tool than direct arguments or insults. 

“There’s kind of this gap in the armor that humor can find that other methods can’t, which I think is really interesting,” Abdallah-Robbins said. “It’s something disarming about it. That seemed to upset them in ways more than calling them a Nazi did.”

For clarity, Mamdani has repeatedly refuted claims that he will be instating Sharia law in New York City, joking in an interview with Jon Stewart on The Daily Show: “I will deliver universal childcare. I won’t require everyone to eat halal food.”

Associate Professor of Political Science Dr. Jennifer Victor said that the recent wins for Democrats are no surprise, especially after Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election. 

“There is broad and deep dissatisfaction with Republican party politics,” she said. “A lot of voters, even those who swung towards Republicans, perhaps, in the 2024 election … [a] decent chunk of those folks are either now, like, disaffected and pulling back from politics and not participating, or have swung over and are expressing their dissatisfaction with executive overreach.” 

The Nov. 4 wins can act as a short-term solution for Democrats to protect against gerrymandering that seeks to strengthen Republican control of the House and Senate. However, it won’t be a lasting victory if the party is unable to rally behind a clear direction for the 2026 midterm and 2028 presidential election. 

Some criticize the Democratic party for being seemingly disorganized, citing split endorsements between mayoral candidates Mamdani and former Democratic governor of New York Andrew Cuomo, along with differences in policy between winning candidates such as Mamdani and Virginia governor-elect Abigail Spanberger. 

Victor says that a diverse spectrum of opinions within the party is a strength, and that the Democrats are building a wide coalition.

“The infighting and all of the hooing and hawing about what we should be about has a lot of people pointing at it going, ‘Oh, Democrats are in disarray, a dysfunctional party,’ and I’m like, ‘This is fine,’” she said. “This is what you want parties to do. They don’t have to coalesce and come to a single point until they have to nominate a candidate, and they don’t have to do that until 2028.”

Abdallah-Robbins, who does not identify as a Democrat, blames the two-party system for party members’ dissatisfaction with their options for the future. 

“I have to kind of hold my nose in a way that I may not have wanted to before, and say, you know, I’m gonna pick the lesser of greater evils, even if I think this is deplorable,” they said. “What’s the alternative? People don’t feel like they have one.”

“We don’t vote for our favorite candidate so much in this country as we vote against the person we don’t want to lead … That’s very disempowering, right? That isn’t how democracy should function,” Abdallah-Robbins said. “I want every election to be like, out of amazing things, they have all these great ideas and I’m struggling to pick one.”

No matter what direction the Democratic party goes in the coming years, Abdallah-Robbins is optimistic for the future of the country. 

“I have a lot of hope for this country because I think that people recognize a really profound need for change, that we don’t like things the way they are, and that’s agreed upon regardless of your political position,” they said. 

No matter what each person thinks about the Democratic party, they agree on one thing: voters must rally together to see the changes they want to make. 

“We need to expect more out of these politicians… I don’t think that there’s anything inherently wrong with wanting a pretty radical restructuring of the way that things are,” Abdallah-Robbins said.

(Sonal Prakash / Fourth Estate)

A legacy of bad decisions by the government has left millions of borrowers struggling

BY SONAL PRAKASH, STAFF WRITER

It’s not you, it’s the government. Policymakers are in large part to blame for the crisis currently looming over the heads of more than 40 million Americans. 

This is according to Jillian Berman, an award-winning journalist who has been reporting on student loan debt for a decade. 

“The bulk of the blame is on policymakers, both those who designed the system and those who in the decades since have continued to tweak it — instead of scrapping it for something new — even amid evidence that it’s not working for borrowers or, arguably, the government,” she said. 

Nearly half of all undergraduate students in the United States take out loans, many of whom struggle to pay them back and face a range of punitive consequences. Even for borrowers who are financially capable of paying back their loans, bureaucracy and red tape cause a challenge. 

It has unfortunately become common for borrowers to be unable to obtain clear information from their loan servicers, like when payments are due, how much payments are and whether their applications for loan relief have been processed. 

Students aren’t to blame for their decisions and the consequences — the system is. 

“A lot of borrowers are struggling in part because they’ve been historically unlucky … with college costs, unlucky with the labor market and more,” Berman said. 

That’s not all. An influx of changes to the federal student loan program has made navigating payments even more difficult. 

The Biden administration created confusion with attempts to cancel some student debt during the pandemic, and legal challenges have delayed or blocked those plans. Now, the Big Beautiful Bill under the Trump administration is causing controversy around more policy changes. 

Parent Plus loan borrowing on behalf of a child has been capped, and there are fewer repayment options available. The time required for loan forgiveness has also been extended from approximately 20 years to 30 years, prolonging the time a student is responsible for their debt and adding to their mounting stress. 

The bill even limits federal loans given to universities based on their students’ average post-graduate earnings. 

As graduate degrees become more expensive and less reliable for securing employment, Berman advised students to seriously consider the costs and benefits before deciding to take out a loan. 

Labor market behavior is a significant factor for students to consider. Students going into comparatively low-paying fields like social work or education should prioritize an affordable education. For those studying fields like public health, it may not make as much sense to pursue a master’s degree as it did in the past.

While students may feel that they alone bear the burden of debt, words like Berman’s remind us that it is a crisis evolved through history and policies that have brought us to the state of the current system. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Fourth Estate welcomes opinion articles by people of all beliefs. If you feel strongly about a subject and want your voice to be heard, please email Opinion Editor Emma G. Schaible at eschaib@gmu.edu.

(Pranay Barua / Fourth Estate)

Bengali Patriots Association builds community on campus through dance, food

BY JUMMANA ALZAHRANI, STAFF WRITER

The Bengali Patriots Association at Mason lit up the campus with its “Disco Deewane” event on Nov. 6. 

The night was a vibrant mix of traditional Bengali culture and modern disco beats. Students from all backgrounds came together to dance, share food and celebrate community. 

According to the event’s organizers and dancers, the association is dedicated to creating a special space for everyone on campus.

For the association’s Vice President, Nusrat Amin, the main goal of the event is personal. 

“I would say it fills an important gap on campus for Bengali representation,” she said. She noted that Bengali culture can sometimes be overlooked in wider South Asian spaces, and the Bengali Patriots Association gives Bengali students a place to feel seen. 

Amin’s own journey with the club began at last year’s Disco Deewane event. 

“I went with a friend my first year, and then from there I got involved,” she said. 

The heart of the event’s unique style was in its dance performances. 

Mehek Azad, the dance lead, blends traditional moves with modern styles. She said the key is accessibility and expression. 

Azad uses easy-to-follow hip-hop steps and incorporates Bengali hand gestures called mudras. These mudras represent elements related to the body’s life force. She said the most important aspect, however, is the storytelling. 

“What’s really important in our dance style is that it’s very focused on the lyrical translation,” she said. “You’re reenacting the lyrics. So if it’s like ‘I see this girl,’ the actual move will be like the action of seeing somebody.” 

This approach honors the nuances of Bengali dance culture while also being welcoming to beginners. For the performers, this fusion is a powerful way to connect with their roots.

(Deenah Kamran / Fourth Estate)

Fareya Suzana, a dancer who is also part of a local South Asian dance group called DMV Taal, said the team often picks songs based on the nostalgia factor. 

“The newer [songs], I feel like they don’t really pay homage to our culture as much,” she said.

Choosing these well-loved songs helps the performances connect with people’s hearts and memories. 

“We also open our events to everyone else in the South Asian community, and other communities too,” Azad said.

The Bengali Patriots Association has also collaborated with other cultural clubs, including Latin student organizations. By bringing these different groups to the same stage, BPA ensured their events are a united campus-wide celebration.

After the music fades, the ultimate message BPA hopes students will take away from an event like Disco Dewanee boils down to a few core feelings. For Azad, it is about breaking down barriers.

“I always want people to believe anybody can dance,” she said. “Everybody can be involved, and it doesn’t have to be perfect.” 

For Amin, it is about sharing the comforts of home. 

“Our food is always banging at the events,” she said. “Especially for international students … You can have a slice of home right here.” 

The Bengali Patriots Association’s Disco Deewane is more than a single night of music and dance. It’s a dynamic and welcoming space where Bengali identity is not only preserved but joyfully shared, one dance step and one delicious plate of food at a time. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: The caption for one of the photos in the article was corrected. (Tuesday, Nov. 25, 12:50 p.m.)

(Joel Aguilar / Fourth Estate)

Jazz4Justice and the GMU jazz ensembles perform to raise money for legal aid and music programs

BY JOEL AGUILAR, STAFF WRITER

Jazz4Justice, a local nonprofit that helps fund free legal aid and music programs across Virginia, held their 25th annual performance with Mason’s Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Vocal Ensemble at the Center for Arts on Nov. 14, wowing donors, law professionals and Mason students alike.

The nonprofit has hosted over 75 concerts, with the proceeds going towards providing pro bono legal representation to those in need and funding music scholarships and programs at participating universities. 

This year’s performance had a variety of songs and focused on the “Latin tinge:” the Afro-Cuban, Caribbean and South American influences found in jazz.

“Jelly Roll Morton once said, ‘if you don’t have the Latin tinge, you’re not playing real jazz,’” Jim Carroll, director of the Mason Jazz Ensemble, said during his opening statement.

This was promptly demonstrated with their first two songs of the night, “Love for Sale” by Cole Porter and “The Look of Love” by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Both were love songs featuring instruments reminiscent of the theme. 

Their third song of the night was a surprise: “Tank!” by Yoko Kanno from “Cowboy Bebop,” an anime with deep ties to jazz. The name alone had many of the younger audience members sitting up in their seats, but before long everyone was moved by the song’s fast-paced and energetic nature.

This was followed by “You’re Makin’ Me Crazy” by Gary and Rosana Eckert and “Chucho” by Paquito D’Rivera, both energetic songs steeped in Latin culture. Each song contained solos from different performers, showing off their individual skills.

The first half of the performance ended with “Manteca” by Dizzy Gillespie, which felt like street music found in the heart of Cuba. With a heavy focus on percussion, the interesting use of the metal drum and a call and response section, performers and audience members alike yelled “Manteca!” throughout the song. 

As the energized audience shuffled out of the venue for the intermission, many commented on how they wanted to “get up and dance.” Some of the students created an uproar of support for their friends on stage while they left for a break.

The jazz ensembles began the second half by playing “Snow Samba” by Paquito D’Rivera and Claudio Roditi, “The Chicken” by Alfred James Ellis and “Baroque Samba” Darmon Meader, which were in line with more traditional jazz pieces, using instruments popularized in American genres.

“The Chicken” had an interesting approach of mixing new and old. The song included a solo from both Art Martin, a military veteran who is graduating from the program, and Jonathan Velez, a newcomer to the program.

Ed Weiner, the founder of Jazz4Justice, talked about the start of the organization, which started as a collaboration between Weiner and Jim Carroll. He then thanked the many sponsors and volunteers, which have been with the organization for decades. 

Weiner invited President Gregory Washington on stage as the guest composer to conduct “Fanfare for the Common Man” composed by Aaron Copland.

The show ended with Louis Prima’s “Sing, Sing, Sing” with Jazz4Justice adding a Latin tinge. This also doubled as an evaluation of the performers as they each had their own short solos. 

At the end of the song, all of the performers lined up for a bow and were met with a long standing ovation. Audience members commented on how energized they felt leaving the venue. 

(Nathan Ferraro / Fourth Estate)

Collectors and amateur enthusiasts alike enthralled by worldwide mineral specimens

BY NATHAN FERRARO, MANAGING EDITOR

While many Northern Virginia families will be heading to one of several holiday markets in the region as the festive season approaches, a unique holiday shopping opportunity has just made its way to Mason from Nov. 22 to Nov. 23. 

Several hundred attendees could be found yesterday exploring the Northern Virginia Mineral Club’s 33rd Annual Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show at Dewberry Hall.

The event’s first day brought nearly 20 mineral sellers and hundreds of community members, local children and Mason students to campus. Organizers expect just as many, if not more, attendees today between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., where there will be a silent auction in addition to the event’s other attractions.

Available for purchase are raw and carved minerals, gems, fossils, figurines, jewelry and other accessories from all over the world priced anywhere between $1 and $1,000.

The show also has an expansive children’s section, complete with games, quizzes and hands-on learning exhibits. 

Alan Benson, 36, has been collecting minerals since he was 7 and running a mineral-selling business since he was 14.

Though he and his wife Elise live in New Jersey, they have been driving to Fairfax for the Northern Virginia Mineral Club’s annual show for nearly 20 years. 

“For us, it’s not too far,” he said, adding that they regularly travel to western U.S. states and overseas for mineral shows.

“It exposes you to a lot of different cultures,” Benson said about the mineral selling business. 

He and his wife recently returned from a trip to a mineral and fossil show in Germany.

He said that, for him, mineral collecting was a hobby that turned into a life-long business: Alan’s Quality Minerals LLC.

His bestsellers are fluorite and quartz, though his favorite mineral is rhodochrosite. He said despite the higher price point of his minerals compared to other vendors in Dewberry, there are some shows where his prices are the bargains. 

(Nathan Ferraro / Fourth Estate)

Ken Rock, of Rock’s Rocks & Minerals, was another seller present Saturday. 

Rock, the editor of the Mineralogical Society of the District of Columbia’s newsletter, said going on geology field trips in college “ignited” his interest in geology and minerals.

He has been collecting minerals since college, though he has only begun selling them recently.

“A lot of these [specimens] I’ve had for so long I can’t remember what I’ve paid,” he said.

Across from Rock’s table was the Mineralogical Society of the District of Columbia’s table. Club President Dan Teich said all purchases made at their table will fund scholarships for students and donations to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s Department of Mineral Sciences. 

Tom Taaffe, the Northern Virginia Mineral Club’s show chair, said he witnessed a lot of good energy from attendees and sellers both Saturday afternoon and the day before, during set-up. 

He described the show as a “traditional club show with mostly collectors.”

Those collectors include people from Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Delaware, according to the show’s webpage. Highlights of the collectors’ selections include agates from Mexico, Germany and Indonesia, amethysts from Brazil and Uruguay and garnets from Afghanistan.

“Variety is what we’re after,” Taaffe said. 

The mineral club also exhibits not-for-sale minerals at the show, including fossil plants, garnets, Michigan copper samples, geologic bubble samples, meteorite mineral samples and mineral finds from the club’s field trips to quarries, nature sites and museums.

(Nathan Ferraro / Fourth Estate)

Describing the effort it takes to plan such a large annual event, Taaffe said he was grateful for the support of Mason staff and the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences, who sponsored the event. 

Jules Goldspiel, an instructional assistant professor who teaches geology and hydrology, served as the liaison for coordinating this year’s mineral show.

GMU Geology Club President Parker Hagerty said he and his club have worked closely with Goldspiel, the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences and the Northern Virginia Mineral Club to execute this year’s show.

The club helped collectors set up their displays all day on Friday, Hagerty said. 

The senior Geology major said he had to set a spending limit for himself, knowing that he would be working at the show all weekend.

He also spoke about the exciting aspects of the event, including the increase in educational activities for children.

“A lot more passion is being put into these sorts of extracurricular activities,” Hagerty said, highlighting the importance of holding more on-campus events at Mason. 

The Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show is free for Mason students and staff and all children under 12. Regular admission for adults is $6, seniors is $4 and teenagers is $3. 

The Northern Virginia Mineral Club will be auctioning off several items today, including a mineral LEGO set.

EDITOR’S NOTE: An error was corrected in which Northern Virginia Mineral Club show chair Tom Taaffe was mistakenly referred to as “Tom Taafe.” (Sunday, Nov. 23, 1:12 p.m.)